Steve Pavlina’s How to Build a High-Traffic Web Site
Steve Pavlina has a great post on How to Build a High-Traffic Web Site (or Blog). Interesting how his list can be applied to how to create an outstanding life as well:
1. Create valuable content.
Create value with the things you do, whether through work or your personal life.
2. Create original content.
What is something uniquely yours that you can create and contribute? You are already an original and irreplacably unique creation, how do you want to use this voice of yours?
3. Create timeless content.
What kind of legacy do you want to leave behind? The things that last haven’t changed, treating people with love and compassion will ensure you live in their memories long after you’re gone.
4. Write for human beings first, computers second.
Work and live for human beings first, everything else second.
5. Know why you want a high-traffic site.
Why do you want to create a greater life in the first place? Connecting with your purpose will give you clarity, provide criteria and focus.
6. Let your audience see the real you.
People want to connect with a real person, not a mask. Don’t be afraid to be yourself, even if sometimes you have to go first.
7. Write what is true for you, and learn to live with the consequences.
Live the way you feel is right for you, and be OK with the consequences, both positive and negative of the choices you make consciously.
8. Treat your visitors like real human beings.
Treat everyone you meet like a real human being, and not a teller, a janitor, a pilot, a chef, a judge, a beggar or a stranger!
9. Keep money in its proper place.
Use money, don’t be used by it.
10. If you forget the first nine suggestions, just focus on genuinely helping people, and the rest will take care of itself.
Kinda obvious, isn’t it? 
I agree that a key to self management is self esteem. I would offer that true life inspiration happens when you find something you love to do and make it a part of your everyday experience. Here’s an exercise:
1. Write down 10 things you love to do or that bring you the most joy. I call this the “You List”
2. Then record how many times a day you do one of the things on your list
3. Give each day of the week a rating from 1-10
4. Your best day usually comes out to be the day you do the most things on your “You List”
I can easily relate to the first part of the story, in the past I was one of those people pretending you have done something and then be very uncomfortable when someone asks more detailed questions.
It is not a good feeling and being upfront from the beginning really saves you the embarassment later.